It's always easier to start something - than to see it through to its end.
(case in point - this blog) :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Gift of a Clean Conscience
There are countless gifts which the Lord has bestowed on His children. None so freeing and pure than the clean conscience.
All has been forgiven and the believer is at rest. The saint is pursuing righteousness. He may stumble now and again, but the overriding and default position is in a pursuit of righteousness in Christ.
This is where he can find himself totally free. In the arms of his Savior, forgiven and loved. No longer a slave to that which made him blind.
Lord - thank you for helping your children to see again.
All has been forgiven and the believer is at rest. The saint is pursuing righteousness. He may stumble now and again, but the overriding and default position is in a pursuit of righteousness in Christ.
This is where he can find himself totally free. In the arms of his Savior, forgiven and loved. No longer a slave to that which made him blind.
Lord - thank you for helping your children to see again.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Freedom to Question?
More known for his side role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ben Stein offers an interesting and fair look into the academic science world with his movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
He investigates several science educators "expelled" from their job and shunned from the academic world for citing intelligent design or suggesting plausibilities within ID. Stein uncovers a world within academia that is vehemently opposed to the teaching of ID as an alternative to Darwinism.
An interesting discovery Stein makes in his documentary is that the cell Darwin discovered in his time would pale to the cell discovered today. Meaning, the scientific evidence at our disposal today actually sheds light on Darwin's theory - and as a result, begins to poke holes in it.
While many scientists agree that Darwin made valuable contribution to science, a growing number of them are beginning to question his "leap of faith" in trying to determine the "origins of the species" and how he made assumptions on life "progressing".
With the knowledge of irreducibile complexity and further study into the structure of cells, Expelled questions what the real motives might be behind leaders in academia.
Is it to preserve science? Or, to quelch sincere questioning that might undermine a belief system?
He investigates several science educators "expelled" from their job and shunned from the academic world for citing intelligent design or suggesting plausibilities within ID. Stein uncovers a world within academia that is vehemently opposed to the teaching of ID as an alternative to Darwinism.
An interesting discovery Stein makes in his documentary is that the cell Darwin discovered in his time would pale to the cell discovered today. Meaning, the scientific evidence at our disposal today actually sheds light on Darwin's theory - and as a result, begins to poke holes in it.
While many scientists agree that Darwin made valuable contribution to science, a growing number of them are beginning to question his "leap of faith" in trying to determine the "origins of the species" and how he made assumptions on life "progressing".
With the knowledge of irreducibile complexity and further study into the structure of cells, Expelled questions what the real motives might be behind leaders in academia.
Is it to preserve science? Or, to quelch sincere questioning that might undermine a belief system?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Moving Toward a Pain and Risk-free Society
I can't pretend to know all that has conspired to cause the government's decision to bail-out Wall Street. But, what I can deduct, is that many who risked unresponsibly and failed, may not have to pay the price of their failings.
Today, we can go to a dentist - have a cavity filled and experience no pain. We can go to work, get paid - while sometimes not exerting any real "effort" or toil. We can get married, and after some time, free ourselves from the discomfort of "dealing" with each other and file for divorce.
To be sure - I am not a lover of pain. Nor, do I advocate an aesetic lifestyle. But there is something peculiar when we do not experience the pain of life. When there is no punishment for bad choices or foolish behavior. When we opt for the comfortable all the time, to avoid pain (even when that pain is the means to our growth).
In Acts, we read that Paul went about preaching the idea that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God". And we know that our Savior - Jesus Christ, was not immune to suffering or pain.
Should we be above pain? Don't we already know that it's through trials where we have seen the hand of God and felt His presence most keenly?
Lord, help me, so that I do not begrudge my own pains - but through them, I might lean more and more on your saving right hand.
Today, we can go to a dentist - have a cavity filled and experience no pain. We can go to work, get paid - while sometimes not exerting any real "effort" or toil. We can get married, and after some time, free ourselves from the discomfort of "dealing" with each other and file for divorce.
To be sure - I am not a lover of pain. Nor, do I advocate an aesetic lifestyle. But there is something peculiar when we do not experience the pain of life. When there is no punishment for bad choices or foolish behavior. When we opt for the comfortable all the time, to avoid pain (even when that pain is the means to our growth).
In Acts, we read that Paul went about preaching the idea that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God". And we know that our Savior - Jesus Christ, was not immune to suffering or pain.
Should we be above pain? Don't we already know that it's through trials where we have seen the hand of God and felt His presence most keenly?
Lord, help me, so that I do not begrudge my own pains - but through them, I might lean more and more on your saving right hand.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Heart Gasp
I was on the bus sitting next to an older woman - and the discussion turned to her love of sailing. She told me how she was once very passionate about sailing - and that everytime she sailed - her heart "gasped", as if in awe.
She relayed to me that she never has that sense anymore. Save for one thing:
"When I look around me, at creation, my heart gasps. It's so beautiful."
To imagine that God's artistry in the outdoors may only be a hint at what he has in store for the new earth.
Wow!
She relayed to me that she never has that sense anymore. Save for one thing:
"When I look around me, at creation, my heart gasps. It's so beautiful."
To imagine that God's artistry in the outdoors may only be a hint at what he has in store for the new earth.
Wow!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What Does God Desire Most II
I thought it would be good to get some responses from others on this question. Here are some of the responses:
"He desires that all would be saved."
"He desires that all would love him and obey Him."
"He desires Himself."
Of all these - and I know that one cannot pressume upon God - I think the last one most resonates with what I read in the bible and within my own soul.
While some may pressume it to be arrogant - this is the one desire that only God could maintain and hold - without it being full-of-oneself. Only God could and should desire Himself - most.
"He desires that all would be saved."
"He desires that all would love him and obey Him."
"He desires Himself."
Of all these - and I know that one cannot pressume upon God - I think the last one most resonates with what I read in the bible and within my own soul.
While some may pressume it to be arrogant - this is the one desire that only God could maintain and hold - without it being full-of-oneself. Only God could and should desire Himself - most.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
What Does God Desire Most?
This is a big question and one that requires reflection. In my view, it says a lot about your theology - and how you view God.
How would you answer?
How would you answer?
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